Marimba
The marimba is a tuned percussion instrument comprised of wooden bars struck by mallets. It has a warmer tone and lower range than the xylophone.
Range: 4 - 5 octaves
Tone: dark; mellow; earthy; hollow; resonant
Mallet Construction:
Shaft: Wood
Head: Rubber wrapped in yarn
Mallet Technique: 2 per hand
Useful techniques:
- Arpeggios
- Tremolos – single note and chords
- Trills
- Glissando
- Chords
Orchestration: - Good as a solo instrument
- Pairs with other percussion
- Acts as harmony for trumpet melodies
- Pairs with woodwinds (low clarinets, bassoon)